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Leila Alexander

Saint Paul, 20 Nov 1864 – 14 Jul 1953

6 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

  • Born20 Nov 1864, Saint Paulnot verified1 source
  • MarriedJohn J. Emerynot verified1 source
  • Died14 Jul 1953not verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 20 Nov 1864

    Born in Saint Paul

  2. 4 Jan 1904

    A daughter is born

  3. 14 Jul 1953

    Dies, aged 88

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Saint Paul.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1860s · Leila is born in Saint Paul

Who governed

What people wore

Cage crinolines after 1857

Starting in 1857, cage crinolines made of sprung steel freed women from the weight of wearing multiple heavy petticoats to achieve a full skirt.

Getting around

Railroads revolutionized travel speed and comfort

By the late 1860s and early 1870s, transcontinental rail travel allowed passengers to move at 30 miles per hour in luxurious conditions. This was a dramatic change from earlier overland travel, such as a 300-mile trip that took 56 hours by coach but could be completed in roughly 15 hours by train.

At the table

The monotonous diet of pork and corn

For many ordinary families, especially in the South and on the frontier, the diet was monotonous, often centering on the three M's: meat (pork), meal (cornmeal), and molasses. This daily fare was typically cooked in lard and served as simple, one-pot stews or cornbread.

The American Civil War. North and South fought over slavery; 620,000 soldiers died, the Union won, and four million enslaved people were freed.In North America · 1861–1865

The American Civil War. North and South fought over slavery; 620,000 soldiers died, the Union won, and four million enslaved people were freed.

Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives · public domain

In the news1862

Homestead Act Signed in 1862

The Homestead Act allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of free land if they lived on and improved it for five years.

Music

Popularity of parlor organs

Parlor organs, also known as reed or cabinet organs, became highly popular in homes following the Civil War as elegant pieces of furniture.

Daily life

Homes lacked running water and indoor toilets

Houses lacked modern plumbing; most families fetched water from distant sources, and indoor bathrooms were nonexistent, requiring the use of chamber pots and outdoor outhouses.